Taliban Local Commander Condemns Ethnic Discrimination and Concentration of Power Following Chah Ab Events.
According to local sources and statements published on social media, Salahuddin Salar, a local Taliban commander in Badakhshan province, has issued a rare critical statement against the group’s ruling structure.
Observers view these remarks as a clear indication of structural discrimination within the Taliban government, which critics say places all key leadership positions in the hands of figures from the Pashtun ethnic group, while other ethnic communities are effectively excluded from power and decision-making.
These criticisms were voiced after the recent events in Chah Ab district and, according to some analysts, may reflect sympathy with or indirect support for popular protests in the area.
In his statement, Salar warned that history shows many governments collapse not because of external enemies, but due to internal corruption, injustice, and the prioritization of ethnic and familial interests.
He described ethnic favoritism and the abandonment of merit-based governance as factors that dangerously widen the gap between the people and those in power, gradually undermining legitimacy.
He further identified greed for wealth as a clear sign of systemic decline, warning about the management of mines, land, and natural resources.
Salar stated that resources meant to secure the welfare of future generations have been turned into tools for short-term enrichment by specific individuals, resulting in widespread poverty alongside unjust accumulation of private wealth.
He concluded that preventing the repetition of this historical pattern requires a return to justice, transparency, accountability, and respect for human dignity.
